Michelin has confirmed that it will be injecting a multi-million pound investment package into its UK service chain ATS Euromaster this year, so that it can continue to develop its added value customer focus started in 2004. According to the company this 10-year programme is part of a wider investment schedule that will be introduced and rolled out throughout the coming years.
January’s UK commercial vehicle rolling year total was the highest ever, according to the latest figures released by the SMMT. The numbers show that the rolling total stands at 391,070, up 7.6 per cent. The year-on-year figure also shows improvement, having grown 4.6 per cent compared with 2004.
Commercial vehicle registrations hit an all time high last year with a record level of 389, 923 units, a figure that was up some 9.5 per cent. The SMMT also recorded the highest ever December CV registrations at 28,470.
According to the society growth remained concentrated in LCVs, particularly medium vans. 24,021 light commercial vehicles were registered in December, with a total of 329,599 units recorded for the year.
The NTDA has announced that Renault Vans will be supporting its Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) awards in 2005. The TAFF awards are due to be launched at the NTDA’s Annual Dinner in April. The awards will feature Tyre Manufacturer, National and Regional Wholesaler, Tyre and Aftermarket Equipment Supplier, Product Innovation and a special award for Industry Advertising Campaigns.
Results from the North West England Tyre Safety Campaign held in October 2004 have shown “a substantial reduction in the number of danger tyres on vehicles on the roads,” according to the TIC.
Police checks identified that the number of tyres below the legal minimum tread depth had fallen by just over four per cent compared with the previous year’s campaign.
According to provisional output data released by the Office for National Statistics the total UK car production rose 4.5 per cent in November and has reached its highest November output since 2000. “This performance demonstrates the resilience of UK car production since the period of restructuring at the turn of the decade. Our nine volume manufacturers are now on track to produce 1.65 million cars in 2004 and similar volumes in 2005,” commented SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan these figures published just before Christmas. “Growth 2004 has largely focused on production for export, demonstrating the value and strength of UK manufacturing in a competitive global market. Seven out of every 10 cars made in the UK are destined for export and we expect this trend to continue in 2005,” he added. The output volume of commercial vehicles was up six per cent in November 2004 with an export growth up 25 per cent for the month, and 27.3 per cent over year-to-November respectively. “The recovery in CV demand throughout Europe has had a positive effect on UK production facilities. They have clearly been up to the challenge, delivering state-of-the-art vehicles throughout the EU. CVs produced for home markets remain broadly stable compared to 2003, reflecting the use of the UK as a positive outlet for new home produced vans and trucks. We still expect to meet the 2004 forecast for 210,000 units manufactured in the UK,” said Christopher Macgowan.
Accuride Corporation (Evansville/Indiana), North America’s largest manufacturer and supplier of wheels for heavy/medium trucks and trailers, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Transportation Technologies Industries, Inc. (TTI), one of the largest North American manufacturers of truck components for the heavy and medium-duty trucking industry. The common stock of both companies is privately held. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will offer the trucking industry a onestop component sourcing solution and expects to become one of the predominant suppliers to the heavy/medium commercial vehicle industry.
The SMMT is reporting that in the first 10 months of 2004 UK new car production has dropped one per cent, while production for export has risen 3.5 per cent in the same space of time. Octobers output in isolation reveals a decrease in production levels of 11.9 per cent, according to provisional data released by the office of national statistics.
“Despite a dip in October car production, levels over the year to October show that we remain on a par with last year. UK automotive manufacturing has a bright future. SMMT’s second annual issues survey of senior executives, to be published at the SMMT Annual Dinner, will show that we have much to be proud of. With the right skills in the workforce, an increase in R&D and a cautious approach to the introduction of new regulation by government, the industry has a very positive future,” commented SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan.
At the same time the SMMT reports that commercial vehicle (CV) production went up 11.3 per cent in October and 14 per cent year-to-date. CV export production levels rose by 27.5 per cent over the year to October. Rolling 12 month totals to October show that production is up 25,228 units to 210,322.
“The growth in commercial vehicle assembly remains robust. Over the most recent three months to October, production has risen 21.4 per cent, with 38.2 per cent for the export market. UK plants are keyed-in to a firm revival in demand for vans and trucks in the rest of the EC. Annual volume has now topped 210,000 units and with two months to go to complete the calendar year, it will probably nudge further ahead,” added Mr Macgowan.
Commercial vehicle registrations hit a record level in September with the highest monthly volume for 15 years. The rolling yearly total was 381,388 and September’s 52,230 registrations were up 8.4 per cent on last year’s corresponding figure.
The SMMT also claims that there was high demand for heavy vans. The society’s chief executive, Christopher Macgowan said: “September is a vital month in the registration calendar and the figures confirm strong demand. We expect demand to hold at similar levels over the coming months, but growth next year may ease as interest rate rises hit more consumer and business markets.”
The US’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has rejected requests to investigate Bridgestone Firestone Steeltex tyres, having found no evidence of defects or unusually high failure rates.
It was the third time in two years that the NHTSA rejected claims that millions of Steeltex tyres may be defective.
Goodyear Dunlop has been chosen as tyre supplier to UK police forces for the next three years. Goodyear first secured the contract in 1994 and the new deal means that around 100,000 Goodyear and Dunlop tyres will be fitted to police cars, vans and motorbikes for each of the next three years.
Michelin dealers in the USA have been introduced to the new winter tyre range from Michelin. Michelin(R) X-Ice(TM) and Michelin(R) Latitude(TM) X-Ice(TM) winter tyres to help them overcome ice- and snow-covered roads. Michelin’s newest winter products are designed to improve braking, traction and handling for passenger cars and vans, light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV) in snowy and icy conditions. Authorised Michelin dealers in the United States will begin taking deliveries in July of the Michelin X-Ice in 39 sizes for passenger cars and the Michelin Latitude X-Ice in ten additional sizes for light trucks and SUVs.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAYZ) announced that its Commercial Highway Division received a multi-product agreement with Hyundai Translead. Hayes Lemmerz will supply all standard wheel-end components for all of Hyundai Translead’s dry freight vans, refrigerated trailers, chassis and converter dollies for the agreement term. The agreement includes CentruMount(R) steel wheels, and Cast Hub and Drums and Centrifuse(R) Drums. This announcement continues to support the Commercial Highway Division’s goal of providing high quality, lightweight wheel-end systems to the truck and trailer industry, improving fuel economy and increasing revenue producing payload.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. has announced that its Commercial Highway Division reached an agreement with Strick Corporation to supply 100 per cent of all standard, non-specified, wheel end components for Strick in 2004 and 2005. This includes CentruMount(R) Steel Wheels, Cast Hub and Drums and Centrifuse(R) Brake Drums. This agreement continues to support the Division’s goal of providing major trailer manufacturers with innovative and quality components. Strick Corporation produces custom dry freight vans.
Bridgestone plans to set up a plant in India that will make truck radials and help it establish a firm foothold in the country, the world’s fifth biggest tyre market. The tyre manufacturer’s local unit, Bridgestone ACC India, currently manufactures radial tyres for passenger cars and small vans at a factory located near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Sources said Bridgestone officials are preparing a project report on the size of production capacity and investments required to set up the plant, which will take around 18-24 months to build.
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